The Publication
About Us
Independent Motorsport Journalism from Trackside
Speed & Spirit Media is an independent international motorsport publication founded by husband-and-wife team James and Chloe Hedley. Based in Southern California, we produce original reporting and photography from the circuit. With Melbourne-based contributing photographer John Balazs joining the team, our coverage is expanding into Australia.
What We Cover
We cover racing as we encounter it at the circuit: on track, inside the paddock and behind the scenes. That includes race reports, strategy, engineering, liveries, driver stories and the small details spectators do not always get to see.
Editorial Coverage
Our written coverage ranges from race reports and technical explainers to driver profiles and personal trackside features. We check the details, explain the context and write for longtime race fans as well as readers who are still learning the sport.
Trackside Photography
James Hedley leads our photography, documenting the racing and the detail that surrounds it. In Melbourne, contributing photographer John Balazs brings his own approach to documenting race action and life in the paddock. Together, their perspectives broaden the publication’s visual work while each assignment retains its own identifiable voice and credit.
From the Circuit
Selected Coverage History
Speed & Spirit Media has produced original reporting and documentary photography from major North American motorsport weekends. Selected trackside coverage includes:
INDYCAR — Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · September 2026
Race reporting and original trackside photography from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale, including Scott McLaughlin’s victory and Alex Palou’s championship celebration.
IMSA — Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · May 2026
Race reporting, livery features, paddock storytelling, and original trackside photography from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship weekend.
INDYCAR — Long Beach
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach · April 2026
Race analysis, event reporting, distinctive livery stories, and original photography from the Long Beach street circuit.
SRO GT America — Sonoma
Sonoma Raceway · March 2026
Original coverage of SRO GT America, including race reports, team features, vehicle stories, and documentary trackside photography.
IMSA — Laguna Seca Archive
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · May 2025
Documentary race-weekend photography forming part of the publication’s growing visual archive of North American sports car racing.
Meet the Team
Get to know the writers and photographers behind Speed & Spirit Media in Southern California and Melbourne, Australia.
Our Editorial Mission
We want readers to understand what happened and feel closer to where it happened. That means reporting carefully, photographing honestly and giving space to the people whose work is often hidden once the cars leave the grid.
Follow the Story
Explore our reporting and photography from IMSA, INDYCAR, SRO America and historic racing, and follow our expanding coverage from Australia.
Speed & Spirit Media — The race, seen from trackside.